Understanding Wool Sucking Behaviour in Cats

Have you ever wondered why your cat likes to suck your wool blanket or favourite mohair jumper and how you can discourage this behaviour?

Surprising enough, wool sucking is relatively common amongst cats. Felines with a tendency towards this behaviour usually prefer to suck on items such as wool blankets and jumpers but some will suckle another cat’s tail, or their own paw. Some owners have even reported their cat suckling their fingers or ear lobes!  Kittens usually outgrow wool sucking behaviour as they mature, but some cats continue wool sucking well into adulthood.

Why do cats suck wool?

Sucking wool is more than a bad habit; it’s an emotional need similar to a child who sucks their thumb. The primary reasons why cats suck wool include:

• Weaned too early. The most common explanation for wool sucking behaviour is that the cat was weaned too early from its mother. Ideally, cats should be allowed to stay with their mother until they are at least 8 weeks of age and preferably 12 weeks old so that they can continue to learn important socialisation skills. In many cases though, kittens don’t have this luxury and are separated from their mother and siblings much earlier. Sucking the soft, warm fabric of your blanket or jumper is comforting and reminds them of snuggling up to their mother.
• Stress and anxiety. We all react differently to stressful situations – children suck their thumbs, adults bite their nails, and felines often revert to wool sucking behaviour. In cats, stress is usually triggered by sudden changes to the environment e.g. the arrival of a new baby, moving house, divorce and someone moving out, the death of another pet or family member etc.
• It’s in their genes. Oriental breeds such as Siamese are much more predisposed to wool sucking behaviour than other cat breeds.
• On rare occasions, nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions can also contribute to wool sucking. This is referred to as ‘pica’ – a compulsive craving to eat non-food items to satisfy a dietary deficiency. If your cat continues to suck wool you may like to see a vet to eliminate medical reasons for their behaviour.

How to discourage wool sucking?

• Remove the sucking targets. Limit access to the blankets, jumpers and other clothing that your cat usually sucks. If these items aren’t available, your cat can’t suckle on them.
• Provide a substitute. Have you heard of the Catsifier? It’s a ‘cat pacifier’ pillow which has a faux fur cat sewn on one side with four nipples attached. It is designed to allow your cat to comfortably and safely satisfy the need to suck, but without damaging your home furnishings. Clever huh?
• Distract your cat. When your cat looks like he is about to start wool sucking, act quickly and distract him. Get out the feather wand or another favourite toy and engage your cat in playtime to encourage him to think about something else.
• Reduce stress and anxiety. If your cat seems to be reacting to a change in environment, and if it is something that you can do something about, then try to ease the cause of the stress. Your vet may also be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication to help your cat stay calm.

As with all cat behavioural issues, the key to success is time and patience. Alternatively, and as long as your cat is happy and not harming himself – you may simply choose to live with it.

Do you know a cat that enjoys the emotional comfort of wool sucking? Share your stories…

Image:  Angela N. via Flickr